The Word Manifest

It is a wonder God has chosen to reveal Himself to us.  What a time to be alive!  We are blessed beyond measure with the reality of the truth proclaimed in Hebrews 1:1-3:  "God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, ² has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; ³ who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high..."  Many people who feared and sought God did not have the benefit of being introduced to Jesus Christ, the Son of God who created all things, purged our sins and sat down in heavenly glory.  He is our High Priest and KING OF KINGS, the One who calls those who follow Him in obedience "My friends."  This isn't a snoozing, blocking, unfriending kind of friend, but One who sticks closer than a brother for eternity.

As I was reading Lead Like Christ by A.W. Tozer, I was reminded of words found in the beginning of another epistle, Titus 1:1-4:  "Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, ² in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, ³ but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior; ⁴ to Titus, a true son in our common faith: grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour."  Jesus is the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us, and in our time God has "manifested His word through preaching."  This is really a startling announcement.  God who spoke through prophets, has angelic messengers and His own Son Jesus, has chosen to manifest His word through preaching by man.

There is something supernatural and amazing when God's word is proclaimed with faith by those filled with the Holy Spirit, whether they stand at a pulpit or sit in the lunchroom with co-workers.  The proclamation of the Gospel does not require amplification to be powerful or the dimmed lights of a sanctuary with music in the background to be meaningful:  the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation for all who believe.  When believers gather with the expectation and desire to hear from God, through His word God is faithful to speak.  Knowing God has chosen to manifest His word through preaching ought to increase our personal priority to hear preaching and heed the message.  God is faithful to keep His word, and we ought to be faithful to hear and declare it with our lives.  David wrote in Psalm 138:2, "I will worship toward Your holy temple, and praise Your name for Your lovingkindness and Your truth; for You have magnified Your word above all Your name."  That is the word we have the privilege of proclaiming.

Request, not Protest

It seems to me we live in a day of protest, to gather to declare opposition.  Because of the widespread utilisation of protests these days there is little need for me to cite examples of protests or groups that mobilise and gather to oppose the protestors!  Protests are an intriguing social phenomenon, for while they may draw attention to a cause they can also harden the perception of others against them.  As long as protests do not disrupt or negatively impact the lives of others by blocking traffic or destroying property, most people outside the protest pay little mind.  Protesting seems to do more to bolster the morale of people involved in protesting because by shouting slogans and carrying signs they hope to be heard and effect change.  Being unified in opposition against something can bring people together to form a community and a sense of belonging they could cultivate by themselves.

I have been studying through the book of Job and I continue to marvel over his response to the intense personal tragedy of losing his possessions, wealth and children in a day.  Job did not protest to receive evil from the almighty God, for he had also received great good from Him.  When he heard the devastating news of theft, destruction and death Job tore his clothes, shaved his head and fell down in worship of God.  In a day when people take a stand daily for basic human rights, it is shocking how Job humbled himself as he submitted to losing everything.  I wonder:  is there found in God's people the humility, the resignation, to accept such awful news like Job did from God and bless the LORD?  In humbling himself before God in worship, I am convinced Job accomplished far more than he would have by protesting before men.  When the law was signed that prayer was restricted to king Darius for 30 days, Daniel did not protest:  he went home, opened his windows toward Jerusalem and he prayed according to his daily routine.  After he was thrown to the lions for breaking the decree God shut the mouths of the hungry lions who did him no harm.  Protesting cannot do what requests to God can.

Having made our requests known to the almighty God, what is a protest except to appeal to men for strength and confidence?  If God has heard our voice cry out to Him, do we need to shout to be heard? Consider the words of Jeremiah 17:5-8:  "Thus says the LORD: "Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart departs from the LORD. ⁶ For he shall be like a shrub in the desert, and shall not see when good comes, but shall inhabit the parched places in the wilderness, in a salt land which is not inhabited. ⁷ "Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD. ⁸ For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit."  It is a curse to make flesh your strength, whether it is your own flesh or the power, influence and ability of others.  This reliance upon anyone rather than God exposes a heart that departs from the LORD.  One of the consequences of this self-inflicted curse is the inability to see when good comes; it is blindness to notice what God is doing and will accomplish.  Like a shrub in a parched land, the one who makes flesh his strength will be alone without refreshment.

The one who trusts and hopes in the LORD is compared by the prophet to a tree planted by waters with a well-established and supportive root system.  This believer can face searing heat of trials without fear and endure drought without feeling anxious, for the needs of this tree are supplied by God who causes growth and fruitfulness in season.  Having been established in the goodness and grace of God, Job was enabled to endure an awful series of trials.  When he lay there in dust and ashes and scraped his boils with a broken piece of pottery, based upon his discourse at the time Job did not feel fruitful or blessed:  he felt ruined and absolutely destroyed without remedy.  Though everything had gone horribly wrong, faith in God moved Job to bless the LORD anyway.  Better than protesting is to bless the LORD at all times whether our voices heard or views shared by men, for God is our strength and refuge.  Philippians 4:6-7 reads, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;⁷ and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."  Having made our request before our God we worship and trust, we can rest assured He will accomplish more than our protesting ever could.

Seeking Good and Speaking Peace

Like Joseph was promoted in Egypt to second under Pharaoh, so Mordecai was promoted under King Ahasuerus in the kingdom of the Medes and Persians.  Joseph was brought out of prison, and Mordecai was brought out from under the sentence of death by the decree issued by Haman.  By God's grace Mordecai was promoted greatly, and in his illustrious role as ruler he did not drift from the fear of the LORD and the love of his people.  Esther 10:3 tells us, "For Mordecai the Jew was second to King Ahasuerus, and was great among the Jews and well received by the multitude of his brethren, seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen."  Though Mordecai personally possessed power and authority beyond the scope of a democratic or parliamentarian government today, his rule was administered in the fear of the LORD, humility and with the good of people in mind.  As a servant of God he was made fit for the role of public servant.

God caused Mordecai to find favour in the eyes of his king and was received by the multitude of his brethren.  His aims in governance was seeking the good of his people and speaking peace to all his countrymen.  The KJV says he sought the "wealth" of his people, and their prosperity was his chief aim.  He spoke "shalom" to all his countrymen as he sought to unite, encourage, edify and support all those under his rule.  King Ahasuerus was blessed to have the service of Mordecai, and the people were also beneficiaries of his peaceful rule.  The contrast between Haman and Mordecai was more stark than night and day, for Haman was preoccupied with personal achievement, power and honour for himself as he schemed to use his authority to kill rather than promote peace.

As I considered Mordecai's approach to governance, it struck me how fitting it is for all children of God to embrace these values whether as citizens of a nation or in our roles in the Body of Christ, the church.  Following Jesus is not doing our best to follow a set of values but starts with being born again, made new creations by faith, and choosing to humbly walk in obedience to Him.  Paul summed up the one who walks in love peaceably in Romans 12:9-18.    Paul wrote, "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. ¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. ¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men."

Because our home is in heaven, our aim is to secure the true riches of the kingdom of God which are without price that will endure.  God's word and His wisdom will remain forever after this world and all the riches of it cease to be.  God's goodness, mercy, grace, peace and love will be abundantly provided for those who trust Him now and for all eternity.  God has shown great favour to us by forgiving our sins, adopting us as His children and promoting us in His kindgom beyond angels:  if Mordecai sought the wealth of his people and spoke peace to all his countrymen, isn't it fitting we do so as well--especially to the household of faith?  What a privileged position we have been given, to receive the true riches of the kingdom of God so we can share them:  to love without hypocrisy, to be kindly affectionate one to another, to give preference to one another, to continue steadfastly in prayer, to extend hospitality, to bless, rejoice and live peaceably will all men.

Light and Gladness

In the book of Esther, Haman used his influence over the king to deceitfully enact a decree which doomed the Jewish people to destruction at the hands of their enemies.  Jewish people in all the provinces were shocked and confused over the edict.  They put on sackcloth and mourned bitterly as the king and Haman, his trusted advisor, had a drink together.  In an ironic twist that puts Hollywood's best efforts to shame, the Jew Mordecai Haman hated--who was the driving force behind his desire to annihilate the Jews--he was forced to publicly honour.  Later that same day it was revealed Esther the queen was Jewish and Haman's scheme backfired in spectacular fashion with him being hanged on the gallows he built for Mordecai, while Mordecai was promoted to Haman's former post.

Because no law of the Medes and Persians could be changed, Mordecai was given the power and authority to write a new law which gave the Jewish people the right to unite, defend themselves and plunder any person or province who sought their harm.  Esther 8:15-17 reads, "So Mordecai went out from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, with a great crown of gold and a garment of fine linen and purple; and the city of Shushan rejoiced and was glad. ¹⁶ The Jews had light and gladness, joy and honour. ¹⁷ And in every province and city, wherever the king's command and decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a holiday. Then many of the people of the land became Jews, because fear of the Jews fell upon them."  When the new decree was announced mourning was replaced with light and gladness, even as Mordecai's sackcloth was exchanged for robes of blue and white, and his dust and ashes was replaced with a great crown of gold.

When the decree signed into law by Haman with the king's signet ring was announced, the minds and hopes of people were shrouded in darkness.  They were heavily burdened with the sentence of death placed upon them that could not be altered.  Yet the king gave favour to the Jewish people for the sake of Esther his beloved wife and Mordecai who had foiled a plot against the life of the king.  In a moment light of salvation and deliverance shone and drove the darkness away, and the heavy burden was lifted.  In this we see a lovely picture of what God has done through the Light of the World, Jesus Christ.  We were in darkness and under the sentence of eternal damnation for our crimes, but God has shown us favour through the sacrifice of Jesus whose yoke is easy and His burden light.  For all those who believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God, we are made glad, given joy and eternal honour by His side.  Wherever we go and whatever befalls us, none can snatch us out of God's hand.  Because Jesus is our Light and Salvation our future is bright.

Because all who are in Christ are sons of light and not of darkness 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 says, "You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. ⁶ Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. ⁷ For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. ⁸ But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation. ⁹ For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁰ who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. ¹¹ Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing."  Some connect watching with soberness as warning and alerting to error, but this passage lays out for us how we ought to live as sons of the day:  walking in faith and love, living together with Jesus and we comfort and edify one another.  Friends, will you receive the comfort of God today with gladness?  If the Jews in Esther's day had light, gladness, joy and honour because they were given the legal right to defend themselves, how much more ought we to celebrate and find comfort in our Saviour who has saved us from wrath and delivered us from Satan's schemes?